The Bicycle Club

Cycling to work is positive in so many ways. It’s free, healthy, sustainable, and we know that exercise is also great for lowering stress levels and improving mental health. If you’re new to it, be rest assured that cycling to work does get easier over time. Soon you’ll be fitter, healthier, and your route will feel like second nature. But doing the same journey every day at the same time can, for some, become repetitive. According to statistics there are still only around 4% of commuting trips being made by bike in the UK. While some cyclists are completely content with their own thoughts during their commute, others may want something else to entertain, stimulate or relax them. And if…

Tour Stage 9 Report: At the end of a mountainous stage from Switzerland back into France, there was a cat and mouse chase between Bob Jungels and Thibaut Pinot. At the finish it was the Luxemburger who took the win as Jonathan Castroviejo and Carlos Verona swooped past Pinot. Tadej Pogaar won the sprint from the bunch to consolidate his overall lead. The final K of stage 9Solo stage win for Bob JungelsBob Jungels won the ninth stage of the 2022 Tour de France after an impressive solo of 60 kilometres. The 29-year-old Luxembourger of AG2R Citron was the best from a large group in the Swiss-French mountain stage between Aigle and the ski resort of Chtel. In the final…

Bicycle frames are hollow thanks to the genius of design, the intelligence of science and the power of engineering. The iconic ‘double diamond’ frame shape hasn’t really changed in over 125 years. However, the components and materials used to manufacture frames have altered over time. A key principle, however, is that a frame should retain as much of its original shape under load (frame stiffness) when you turn the pedals, corner, or brake. Different materials of frame design achieve this to differing degrees. Other design principles are the frame’s ability to withstand crashes, and the frame’s resistance to repeated strain over time (frame fatigue). Designers, of course, also consider how the frame materials affect the comfort of your ride.  What…

Tour Stage 5 Report: At the end of a chaotic day on the cobbles of northern France, the early break fought for the stage win. Simon Clarke took the stage honours as Wout van Aert held the yellow jersey by 13 seconds as the Jumbo-Visma team had its worst day on the 2022 Tour de France. Stage 5 finalSimon Clarke beat Taco van der Hoorn in a chaotic and busy cobblestone stage in the Tour de France. After a dusty stage of 157 kilometres between Lille and Wallers-Arenberg, with almost 20 kilometres of cobblestones. Jumbo-Visma had a bad day; Jonas Vingegaard and especially Primo Rogli lost time on a strong Tadej Pogaar.Van der Poel not on form?Tour Boss, Christian Prudhomme:…

Cycling in the Netherlands is, quite simply, part of the culture. But it hasn’t always been so. There was a time when cars dominated Dutch streets, and by the early 1970s there were thousands of deaths each year from traffic accidents. But the Dutch fought for change, and they won. For decades now, the Netherlands has been a forerunner in the cycling revolution. Amsterdam has long been known around the world as the “Cycling Capital”. This shows in the statistics. Although Copenhagen is the city with the most actual cyclists (closely followed by Amsterdam), the Netherlands as a whole still has the highest numbers of cyclists per capita in the world. What Bikes Do Dutch People Use? The distinctive bikes…

Tour Stage 2 Report: Fabio Jakobsen gave Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl their second stage win out of two with a chaotic sprint in Nyborg. The predicted split on the big bridge on the run-in didn’t materialise and the bunch thundered into the final. Wout van Aert was second on the stage to move into the yellow jersey. Stage 2 highlightsStage win No.2 for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and Fabio JakobsenFabio Jakobsen won the bunch sprint of the second stage of the 2022 Tour de France. The Dutchman of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl crossed the line first, after a windy stage of more than 202 kilometres with the 18 kilometre Storeblts bridge. Wout van Aert was second and grabbed 6 bonus seconds to take…

Brooks saddles are universally regarded as some of the best saddles available anywhere in the world. That makes them an attractive proposition for most cyclists, even more so if you use your bicycle for the daily commute. Finding the right saddle for everyday use is hugely important. Read on as we break down the best Brooks saddles for commuting. How Do I Choose a Brooks Saddle? Brooks saddles have earned a reputation for being top of their class. The company has a storied history and has been building saddles since 1886! Choosing the right Brooks saddle comes down to a range of factors including riding style, usage and personal preference. Making the right decision with a Brooks saddle is especially…

In 2003 I went to cover my first Tour de France as part of the press. PEZ had almost no readers and even less money, so I rented the cheapest car I could find. I drove it for 2 weeks and 2500km across France from Lyon east to the Alps, across the south and into the Pyrenees via Andorra, dodging and weaving as far west as Lourdes, and then all the way back to Lyon. It was one of the hottest summers on record in France – when the mercury tickled 40C degrees every day for weeks.Click the video to watch, and see more at the PEZ Youtube channel here.The car was tiny and had no a/c, but I managed…